Pulfords Homoeopathic Materia Medica mentions “Deeply pigmented patches on the forehead, profound adynamia.” Where did that come from? It is noted as a clinical symptom.
At present I have a lady patient of 88 who for a long time has not been very strong and on May 22nd she complained of aversion to food, bitter flavor, bitter waterbrash, grayish coating of tongue, waking frequently at night, slightly hoarse, very sensitive to cold, weakness, unsteadiness on feet, internal and external trembling. She reports (three weeks later) that she has been stronger and able to put through extensive changes in her house.
Burnett reports a man with necrosis of the nails, severe arcus senilis, flushes to the head and buzzing in the ears. He gave five drops of the 5th, evening and morning, and in a month the arcus was notably diminished, the patient less tired and his hands trembled less. This reminds me that I had marked in my Kent repertory the symptom “Trembling spells, Van,” from what sources is not recalled.
Burnett termed Vanadium his “sheet anchor” in fatty changes to the liver; also declares it meets the atheroma of the brain or liver “to a nicety, a real remedy of this organic change,” and mentions Bellis perennis as a complimentary remedy. From my slight experience with the remedy this I can well believe. He claims that these two remedies have resorted veritable physical wrecks to health.
Now what is the paramount lesson to be derived from all this? It is this! notwithstanding all this information we do not know when to use the remedy, we can only guess at it and that in a limited province. Here is a remedy of prolific possibilities, one that certainly is related to degenerative conditions of the latter years of life and such is its power, no doubt to the earlier years as well. How much more might be accomplished could we but know when to use it! What, then, shall be done about it? Let us be practical.
We have a year before us between now and the next meeting. how many will join in finding a way to prove this remedy or some other promising substance this coming year? May we not have a group, formal or informal but devoted and determined, who will rescue the art of proving from its collapse. I think the I.H.A. has been inexcusably negligent in this important matter, a negligence in which I accuse myself as one. the I.H.A. should have had a standing (not sitting with arms folded) committee on proving from its inception. We should make amends by starting now to refine and enlarge the ancient art of using medicines. And we should publish that event to the world.
One word more. Should such a project be launched let us prove remedies specifically for use, not as an attitude of scientific appeasement. Let the generic guides be thoroughly sought out, all possible modalities with their degrees of value be explored. Let all those grand characteristics which safeguard the final choice of remedy be included. Of course if some want to amuse themselves with precipitation effects, well and good, but it is only seldom that a jewel is found in gross scientific residue, however certified by the stylistic attitude of the day. Practical clinicians cannot be limited to the strictures of a baser science than the science of insight, comparison and reason.
Finally, let us hope that the signatures of Vanadium, a remedy so appropriate to meet the degenerative influences of the age, may be elevated to its best use.
WATERBURY, CONN.
Born in Torrington, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA on 20 Oct 1871 to Royal Edmund Hayes and Harriet E Merriman. He had at least 4 sons and 1 daughter with Miriam Martha Phillips. He lived in Torrington, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States in 1880. He died on 20 July 1952, in Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, at the age of 80, and was buried in Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United States.